Visitors Guide Aims At Helping Tourists Find Fun

BUSINESS - Briefcase

July 4, 2004

The Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the DeLand/St. Johns River Country Visitors Bureau and the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau have teamed up to release their new comprehensive countywide Visitors Guide.

The three tourism bureaus use the 112-page magazine to answer visitor inquiries. Its regional format is expected to entice more tourists to vacation in Volusia, to highlight the county's tourism offerings and to encourage guests to stay longer.

"The countywide focus puts us in a better position to compete with nearby regions that offer endless vacation and entertainment options," said Blaine Lansberry, chairman of the Halifax Area Advertising Authority.

The guide has an "About the Area" section that identifies each of the county's vacation destinations and includes a guide to cities and towns. Other sections include beaches, rivers and springs; attractions and tours; arts and culture; shopping, dining and entertainment; sports and outdoor activities; and planning your visit.

A "Where to Stay" section lists accommodations ranging from campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks to hotels and bed and breakfast inns.

Renee Wente-Tallevast, executive director of the DeLand/St. Johns River Country Visitors Bureau said she thinks the new guide will draw attention to the west side of the county.

About 400,000 copies of the guide have been produced and will be distributed through June 2005.

For details, call 386-255-0415 or visit daytona beachcvb.org.

RESTAURANT RIBBON-CUTTING

Members of the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce staff and ambassadors helped out with a June ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Whistle Junction Restaurant on International Speedway Boulevard in DeLand.

The restaurant, which was a Ryan's Family Steakhouse, has been given a railroad theme and was remodeled by Eatery Concepts to resemble a train station.

Pat Fekula, vice president for Eatery Concepts, said the restaurant's buffet menu -- which offers chicken marsala, grilled swordfish, roast beef, chicken picatta and shish kebab -- also has changed to reflect the new name.

The DeLand restaurant is one of the first three in Florida to be changed. Others are in Orlando and Brooksville.

Plans call for all of the existing 18 Ryans owned by Eatery Concepts to be converted to Whistle Junction Restaurants.

BANK GRAND OPENING

Prosperity Bank recently opened its branch office at Plymouth Avenue and State Road 15A in DeLand.

Branch manager Carol Noel manages a staff of six people including a mortgage specialist, commercial loan specialist, loan assistant and customer service representatives.

The Holly Hill Community Redevelopment Advisory Board awarded property improvement grants to three businesses in June.

The Ranch Motel on Ridgewood Avenue received $5,000 for roofing improvements; Cunningham Oil on Carswell Avenue was awarded $1,777 for a fence upgrade; and Alan's Antiques on Ridgewood Avenue received $700 for pressure cleaning and painting.

Holly Hill businesses between the Florida East Coast Railroad and Ridgewood Avenue or along Ridgewood or Mason avenues or LPGA Boulevard are eligible for two matching grant programs.

Details: 386-248-9435.

MERCEDES MODEL STARTED

Mercedes Homes' Volusia/Flagler Division has started building a model home on Beachway Drive in Palm Coast in Flagler County.

Gregg Hade, vice president of the division, said the Brookridge is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a media room and 3,875 square feet of living space.